Rock Falls ‘fixes’ needed now, not later

Mayoral hopeful explains stance

Why the objection to my running for mayor? Why did Mayor Blanton’s “right-hand” man, building inspector Mark Searing, file their objection? Why wouldn’t I counter that move by filing my objections to boss Blanton and city clerk Wescott?

Why does Searing harass our businesses with trumped-up subjective citations? Is Searing that fearful that I might become mayor and he lose his job?

Why does Rock Falls’ mayor and council fight working with our twin city, Sterling, by refusing to share in the study that shows we could save millions? Why raise such a fuss when Sterling’s city manager visits a Rock Falls council meeting? I’d welcome them.

Why does Rock Falls have no banners on the new bridge while Sterling has 36? Why is Rock Falls’ electricity 40 percent higher than Sterling’s? Ask the Trujillo family (see SVM Weekend edition on Jan. 19, page A7). Why are businesses, industries and people continually leaving?

Why am I a candidate for mayor?

I grew up in Sterling, owned a beautiful home in Dixon for more than 20 years, and knew all the “players” (Rita Crundwell, Mayor Dixon, accounts and finance commissioners Bridgeman and Blackburn). I never trusted them.

I served on Mayor Sheets’ citizens advisory board; got $1,000,000 Swissville street and sewer project; led the saving of Dixon’s Page Drive Riverfront from an ill-advised dike; and stopped the Rock Falls Reliant fiasco.

My quest is not centered on my becoming mayor. My quest is to get a new mayor who will get Rock Falls rolling again (back on the right track); someone like Penny von Bergen Wessels (outside city limits), Eric Arduini (running for council), Rod Kleckner (see the Gazette article, Dec. 27, 2012, page 4). If someone of their ilk comes forward, I will gladly drop out and support them strongly.

Until then, I will continue to give voters some real choice – to continue down the wrong road of Blanton’s 8 years (and others’ last 20), or opt for the high road (working with Sterling). The inspiration and wisdom of books, “Boomtown” and “Caught in the Middle,” should be heeded by all candidates. (I didn’t see Blanton or Wescott at the authors’ forums at Sauk Valley College – why?)

I will be in Morrison court at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 8 for judicial review of all three cases before Presiding Judge McNeil (cost me more than $500 already). I have confidence in an upholding of my filings.

My fines were all paid up at the time of filing (ending 5 p.m. Dec. 26). I expect the court to recognize the errors and omissions in Blanton’s and Wescott’s filings, including names in same households with identical handwriting, signers on more than one candidate’s petition, etc.

My phone is 815-440-4676 or 815-631-1989, and my business is at 610 W. Second St., Rock Falls. My door really is always open to you. Thanks for listening. We have a laundry list of “fixes” for Rock Falls.